Spectroscopic confirmation of orientational disorder of the cyanide groups in sodium cyanide dihydrate, NaCN•2H2O

Abstract

Occurrence of orientational disorder involving the CN groups in NaCN•2H2O, suggested by van Rij and Britton on the basis of a refinement of X-ray diffraction data, has been confirmed by the doubling of CN stretching fundamentals. The ratios of doublet band areas are consistent with the energy of the orientation [Formula: see text] being higher than that of the "normal" orientation, [Formula: see text] by 800 ± 300 cal mol−1.